Destination Up

...if your thing is a good post-bop quintet (sextet on two tracks with trombonist Steve Davis).I've been picking up a lot of older excellent material which has been reissued over the years that for one reason or another I never had the time (or the money!) in earlier years. Nothing wrong with that......but I've begun to feel like maybe I was over compensating. Coupled with my longing to pick up some good vibraphone work (my favorites were Milt Jackson and Cal Tjader),I acquired this one and it has become a favorite. It seems to be an unusual combination with the horn(s) and vibes but one that is exceedingly pleasing to my ears. Everytime I hit players with whom I'm not that familiar, it seems to open whole new avenues to explore......I guess that's what's so good about jazz!With Jim Rotondi you get a good mainstream and post-bop player who is technically brilliant and yet elegant, complex and still retains a warm tone. Steve Davis, on two tracks, is certainly a creatively expressive trombonist and I do have him in some of my collection. Joe Locke is very stylish and sophisticated and seems to be influenced by Milt Jackson. Mulgrew Miller is a hard hitting pianist who is undoubtedly influenced by McCoy Tyner, another whose recordings I'm playing catch-up. Bassist Peter Washington and drummer Joe Farnsworth I'm seeing more and more frequently on other recordings.There's not a cut on this cd that I don't like (that's rare!).I guess my favorites would be "Park Avenue Petite" written by Benny Golson which I'd never heard before. It's a beautiful ballad with exceptional flugelhorn work by Rotondi. The Irving Berlin standard, "Remember", becomes a really fresh joyous rendition with Rotondi's muted trumpet and the second appearance by Steve Davis. The horns blend superbly on a fine Bossa original, "Evening Shades Of Blue", and features an excellent trombone solo by the composer. Joe Locke's composition, "Last Ditch Wisdom", starts out with a creative time signature before settling into a fast swinger. "Miller Time", written by Rotondi in honor of the pianist, has a medium had-bop beat and features some nicely flowing vibe work by Locke.There are five originals in this set of eight and should satisfy anyone who enjoys a good small group with excellent horn work, piano, vibes and an outstanding rhythm section.

This album is incredible! Jim is one of the greatest trumpet voices of the last two decades and this was my introduction to his playing! He assembled an amazing lineup for this outing and the results are exactly what you would expect from a band with the depth and experience of this one! A 5 star masterpiece!

Rotondi's selection of tunes and his tasteful solos are excellent, along with his sidemen. A lot of great post-bop stuff on here. Some interesting influences on "Designated Hitter", if you listen, the drummer throws some funk-like beats in parts of the melody. The vibes and trumpet mix surprisingly well throughout the CD. Highly recommended